125: Chapter 125 What does this have to do with me?

He arrived at the small courtyard where Jiang Hanzhou's stone house was located, familiar with the route.

The courtyard gate was open, and at a single glance, he saw several people sitting around the stone table in the courtyard.

Liu Quan, Sun Li, and Zhou stood respectfully to the side with their hands hanging down, while Steward Wang Mingyuan sat on a stone stool with a respectful expression.

At the head of the stone table, Jiang Hanzhou was holding a coarse pottery teapot with a calm expression, pouring tea into the empty cups on the table one by one.

The tea was a pale green, with wisps of steam curling upwards; the scent of the tea, mingled with the faint fragrance of a few clusters of wild chrysanthemums in the corner of the courtyard, drifted leisurely into the twilight.

Jiang Tao paused for a moment, then walked quickly into the courtyard and bowed deeply to Jiang Hanzhou: "Master, your subordinate Jiang Tao has come to pay his respects."

Jiang Hanzhou looked up at him, not stopping the action of pouring tea, and said indifferently: "You're here? Sit."

His voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, yet it possessed a strange, stabilizing power.

The slight restlessness and anxiety in Jiang Tao's heart involuntarily dissipated for the most part amidst this calm voice and the scene before him.

He sat down on the empty stone stool as instructed, his posture remaining respectful.

Jiang Hanzhou filled the last cup of tea and pushed it in front of him.

"Drink some tea and calm yourself."

Jiang Hanzhou picked up a cup for himself, gently blew on the steam, took a small sip, and gazed at the last glimmer of sunset where the sea met the sky in the distance, his expression leisurely.

Jiang Tao hurriedly lifted the teacup with both hands.

The tea was warm and palatable, with a hint of bitterness that immediately transformed into a lingering aftertaste, sliding down his throat and seeming to wash away some of the fatigue and tension of the past few days.

He dared not savor it further, carefully set down the teacup, and looked up at Jiang Hanzhou, his lips moving, but he did not know how to begin.

Jiang Hanzhou set down his teacup and turned his gaze to him, as if he could see through all the turmoil in his heart: "Is it because of the ruins?"

Jiang Tao's spirits lifted, and he nodded hurriedly, recounting in detail the recent drastic changes on Taikang Island, the gathering of various forces, the predicament faced by the Prodigal Society, and his own worries.

At the end, he earnestly said: "Your subordinate is dull-witted; facing such a changing situation, my heart is in chaos, and I do not know how to respond. I sent several transmission talismans but received no reply from you, Master. I was fearful, which is why I ventured to come here, asking for your instruction."

After speaking, he held his breath and focused, waiting for Jiang Hanzhou's decision.

The three men, Liu Quan and the others, also pricked up their ears, not daring to breathe loudly.

Wang Mingyuan looked at Jiang Hanzhou's calm profile, deep in thought.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, with only the rustling sound of the evening breeze blowing through the bamboo forest and the faint sound of waves in the distance.

After listening, Jiang Hanzhou did not look very surprised; instead, he smiled lightly.

The smile was very faint, yet it made Jiang Tao and the others feel inexplicably dazed.

"What decision is there to make?" Jiang Hanzhou's voice remained calm, even carrying a hint of nonchalance, "This kind of matter is not something we can get involved in."

Jiang Tao was stunned.

Jiang Hanzhou picked up his teacup, took another sip, and then continued slowly:

"That underwater ruin has caused such a massive stir, drawing forces from all directions; those in the Primal Form Realm are likely just pawns sent to scout the path. The real struggle is between those in the Dragon Fetus Realm, or even higher-level existences. What do mere Primal Elephant Realm Cultivators like you and me count for in such a grand situation? If we participate rashly, other than becoming cannon fodder, what result could there be?"

He looked at Jiang Tao, his eyes as clear as a mirror: "You have been unsettled by the shocking phenomena of the ruin's appearance and the ensuing chaotic situation, losing your composure."

Jiang Tao opened his mouth, wanting to defend himself, but realized there was no defense.

Upon careful reflection, it was indeed so.

When the ruin appeared, he was shocked, excited, and even felt a trace of greed; subsequently, he was overwhelmed by the surging forces and the chaotic situation, feeling restless. He only saw the dangers lurking everywhere and the rare Opportunity, forgetting to weigh his own capabilities.

"But Master," Jiang Tao was still somewhat unwilling, "within that ruin, there might be a heaven-sent Opportunity..."

"Opportunity?" Jiang Hanzhou shook his head, his tone flat yet firm, "No matter how good an Opportunity is, one must have the life to enjoy it. My Dao is not here."

He cast his gaze toward the boundless night sky, where stars were beginning to emerge.

"There are countless Opportunities in this world—ruins, Secret Realms, legacies of predecessors... but the true Dao is never sought externally; it lies within oneself. By following the steps and walking forward, what is meant for me will eventually be mine. What is not meant for me, if forced, will only become a root of disaster."

These words were not spoken with great passion, yet they conveyed an indescribable confidence and certainty.

Jiang Hanzhou had always understood what his foundation was—his fate!

As long as he improved step by step, he would have an infinite ceiling; why would he need to risk his life?

Jiang Tao's heart was shaken violently.

He suddenly realized that his young Master's transcendent state of mind and far-reaching vision were far beyond his own ability to fathom.

For ordinary Cultivators, an ancient ruin worth fighting tooth and nail over seemed, in the Master's eyes, like a mere stone by the roadside, unable to arouse even the slightest interest.

This was not feigned aloofness, but a true indifference stemming from a powerful inner heart and a clear path of the Dao.

The Prodigal Society? Power? A pawn?

Jiang Tao's mind flashed with Jiang Hanzhou's words from just a moment ago— "by following the steps and walking forward."

Indeed, to the Master, the Prodigal Society was perhaps truly just a whim, a casual arrangement, a tool temporarily usable on his long journey of the Dao.

Use it when it is useful; discard it when it is not.

The Master's true reliance was his own unfathomable potential!

As long as the Master grew steadily, why worry about not having stronger forces attaching themselves to him in the future? Why risk life and limb to contend for that ethereal, perilous Opportunity in the ruins?

Realizing this, Jiang Tao felt a sudden sense of enlightenment; the anxiety, fear, and apprehension of the past few days vanished in an instant.

He took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply once more to Jiang Hanzhou; this time, he was convinced and submissive: "Your subordinate understands! It was my narrow vision and weak resolve that allowed me to be swayed by external things and lose my composure. Thank you, Master, for your guidance!"

Jiang Hanzhou nodded slightly, signaling him to sit down.

"It is good that you have realized it." Jiang Hanzhou's tone remained flat, "Our urgent matter right now is not to covet that distant ruin, but to consolidate our existing forces and advance steadily."

He turned his gaze to Wang Mingyuan: "Steward Wang."

"Senior Brother Jiang, please give your orders." Wang Mingyuan immediately said with a serious expression.

"Recently, Star Continent Anchorage has become a mixed bag of people, and it is inevitable that some daring and blinded-by-greed individuals will set their sights on the assets of the Dragon Abyss Palace." Jiang Hanzhou said slowly, "Although Fishing Ground No. 4 is remote, the Spirit Fish are valuable, so we must take precautions. From today on, double the patrols of the fishing ground, and keep the lookout posts manned for twelve hours. Additionally..."

He paused, his voice deepening slightly: "Bring out the 'Green Scale Warship' kept in reserve at the fishing ground, patrol along the boundaries of the fishing ground every day, fly the flag of the Dragon Abyss Palace, and keep the Formation fully activated. There is no need to actively seek trouble, but let everyone see clearly that this is the territory of the Dragon Abyss Palace. Whoever dares to reach out must be prepared to have their hand chopped off."

The standard warship of the Dragon Abyss Palace was, in itself, a powerful deterrent. Ordinary forces would never dare to provoke it easily.

A glint flashed in Wang Mingyuan's eyes, and he replied solemnly: "Yes! I will arrange it immediately! I will ensure the fishing ground is absolutely secure!"

Jiang Hanzhou looked at Jiang Tao again: "As for the Prodigal Society, continue to follow Qin Wen's strategy: contract, remain hidden, and just collect intelligence. Pay special attention to the movements of the Heavenly Heart Sect and Zhao Yuanchen of the Black Jade Mansion. If they gain anything in the struggle for the ruins, or suffer losses, the information might be useful to us."

"Yes!" Jiang Tao's mood was now calm, his thoughts clear, and he nodded in agreement.

"As for you," Jiang Hanzhou finally looked at Jiang Tao, "after you go back, taking advantage of the time when the ruins have appeared and everyone is paying attention, you can secretly contact other small and medium-sized forces on Taikang Island, especially those who are dissatisfied with the Heavenly Heart Sect or the Black Jade Mansion, or those who have been squeezed in this current wave. You don't need to state your position clearly; just foster goodwill and figure out their background. It might be useful in the future."

Jiang Tao's heart stirred, and he immediately grasped Jiang Hanzhou's intention.

"Your subordinate understands!"

After giving the instructions, Jiang Hanzhou picked up the teapot again to refill their tea.

Twilight completely enveloped the small island, the starry sky was brilliant, and the sea breeze carried a chill.

No lights were lit in the courtyard; only the curling steam rising from the coarse pottery teacup on the stone table echoed with the starlight filling the sky.

Jiang Hanzhou lifted the teacup, watching the tea leaves floating and sinking in the cup, his gaze distant.